Rory McIlroy received a second consecutive Masters 2026 title on Sunday after a final-round 70 at Augusta Nationwide noticed him end one beneath par for the event
Rory McIlroy defended his Masters crown at Augusta (Picture: Getty)
Rory McIlroy’s phrases of warning to Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton on Friday night proved prophetic after he secured a commanding victory on the 2026 Masters. The defending champion was practically flawless throughout the primary two days at Augusta Nationwide, although he was compelled to dig deep over the weekend to retain his Inexperienced Jacket.
The 36-year-old held a six-stroke benefit going into the third spherical, however that cushion quickly diminished as Cameron Younger surged up the leaderboard. McIlroy has since revealed he might have considerably anticipated such a state of affairs and made his ideas clear to each Lowry and Hatton following his second spherical.
Talking at a press convention, he mentioned: “I walked into the eating [after day two], went within the locker-room and I sat with Shane [Lowry] and Tyrell [Hatton].
“They had been each saying that after they completed, they had been only one or two behind after which rapidly we’re seven behind, and I mentioned ‘boys, there’s a lengthy technique to go’, loads can occur in a golf event, even over 18 holes.
“I actually did not suppose I used to be residence and dry on Friday night time, I actually nonetheless laborious work to do and thought that I’d nonetheless must shoot beneath par to get the job achieved however fortunately I did sufficient.”
Scottie Scheffler, who completed second, proved to be McIlroy’s nearest rival after carding a four-under on Sunday, with Russell Henley, Younger and Hatton all tied for third. McIlroy’s victory noticed him be a part of an elite group comprising Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as golfers to assert back-to-back Masters titles.
Even after such a outstanding feat, having additionally accomplished the profession Grand Slam final yr, the Northern Irishman has his sights firmly set on additional main glory. He mentioned: “I simply received my sixth main and I really feel like I am in a extremely great place with my sport and my physique. I do not wish to put a quantity on it.
“I’ve waited so lengthy to win the Masters and rapidly I win two in a row. So I nonetheless wish to take pleasure in it. I’ve bought a few weeks off earlier than I am going again to enjoying aggressive golf however I do not suppose I am going to undergo that lull of motivation or the form of issues that I used to be feeling final yr submit successful this event.”
As McIlroy alludes to, the subsequent main on his schedule arrives in a month’s time, with the PGA Championship set to be held at Aronimink Golf Membership in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Open and The Open Championship observe throughout the summer time months, with McIlroy eager to precise revenge on Bryson DeChambeau following his agonising defeat in 2024.
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